Cruise lines are making up for lost time. The summer 2023 season sees an impressive fleet of new ships in a range of sizes and styles. Here, we’ve highlighted four that look particularly promising, from a boutique Nile River explorer to a grand ship from a rebooted company returning after an 18-month absence from the high seas. With so many appealing choices nowadays, it’s difficult to decide which to review next! A happy problem.

Viking Aton

Joining sister ships the Viking Osiris and Viking Ra, the Viking Aton — named for an ancient Egyptian sun god — begins sailing the Nile in August. Served by a crew of 65, it has 41 staterooms, most with private verandas, the suites boasting a separate sitting room in addition to a bedroom. Viking’s signature blond-wood Scandinavian-chic aesthetic defines the décor throughout, in not just the cabins but also the panoramic pool and sundeck, terrace lounge, bar, restaurant and library. The ship will make round-trip journeys from Luxor, celebrated for its extravagantly colorful royal tombs, with stops at the temples in Qena and Esna as well as the dam and souks of Aswan. Guests enjoy a few nights in Cairo on either end of the 12-day itinerary, with rates that include flights between Egypt’s capital and Luxor.

Emerald Sakara

Launching in August, this 100-passenger, 76-crew-member ship — Emerald’s second oceangoing vessel — brings guests to petite ports few other sea-cruising vessels can access. During its inaugural summer in the Mediterranean, stops include unspoiled Monopoli, in Italy’s Puglia region, and little-known Amorgos, the easternmost island in Greece’s Cyclades. Designed to bring private-charter superyacht style and amenities to a broader (but still exclusive) audience, the vessel has just 50 large staterooms, the vast majority with private balconies, plus a restaurant with a terrace and a generously scaled infinity pool, spa and gym. The ship carries with it a range of playthings — Seabob diving scooters, paddleboards, snorkeling equipment and e-bikes — ensuring that amusement is always to be had, whether on land or on water.